| When the Cougars run: The Huskies’ run defense has given up more yards in Pac-10 play than anyone, but it has tightened up the past few weeks. WSU haven’t run the ball with any consistency, or with any regularity, since Dwight Tardy went down after the UCLA game. EDGE: UW |
| When the Cougars pass: After a shaky start to the season, the UW secondary has come of age, holding the opposition to less than 300 yards in each of the last three games. Still, WSU has moved the ball all year through the air, averaging a Pac-10-leading 311 yards per game in conference games. EDGE: WSU |
| When the Huskies run: This is Washington’s strength. No matter who is at quarterback, or what type of offense the Huskies run, they move the ball on the ground. WSU’s run defense has been up and down, and is in the middle of Pac-10 statistics. It needs to be up today, and must execute its assignments against UW’s option attack. EDGE: UW |
| When the Huskies pass: The Cougars pass defense has been excellent when they can put pressure on the quarterback. With a quarterback as mobile as Jake Locker, WSU might be hesitant to blitz as often. Expect the Cougs to disguise coverage, blitz from strange angles and try to confuse the redshirt freshman. EDGE: WSU |
| Coaching/intangibles: Husky Stadium is one of the biggest intangibles in the Pac-10, with the upper decks funneling the noise to the field – when it’s filled. And it will be filled today. But this being the Apple Cup, the visiting team always seems to play better than expected. Still … EDGE: UW |
| Apple Cup history: Over the years the biggest upsets seem to have belonged to the Cougars. You could say, as the state’s underdog university, it has had a lot more opportunities for upsets, and you would be right. Yet, from the 1951 win in Seattle to Chuck Nelson’s miss in Pullman in 1982, the Cougs have usually supplied the surprise. EDGE: WSU |
